Contract Disputes, Mineral Leases, Energy Sector

Colored Horses, Toxic Brews and Lithium Too?

Houston Harbaugh, P.C. on 8/1/2025

Does the Texas Supreme Court’s Decision in Cactus Water Services v. COG Operating Provide Guidance About Lithium and Rare Earth Minerals Ownership in Pennsylvania? Lithium demand is expected to continue to increase as...more

How Courts Look at Fixed or Floating Royalty Disputes

Gray Reed on 7/26/2024

Montgomery Trustee v. ES3 Minerals and Echo Minerals is another Texas fixed or floating royalty case. Before diving into the details, perhaps it’s best to describe the pattern the courts seem to fall into to resolve these...more

Original Louisiana Lessee Can’t Escape Liability

Gray Reed on 7/17/2018

Louisiana practitioners and their clients tend to know this particular point of Louisiana law, but it could surprise out-of-staters (known in their native habitat as “Texans”), so it’s worth a reminder...more

Ohio Takes a Position on Market-Value-at-the-Well Royalty Clauses*

Gray Reed on 12/5/2017

In Ohio, in calculating royalties in a market-value-at-the-well lease (as distinguished from a “proceeds” lease), post-production costs are to be shared proportionately by the working interest and royalty owners. ...more

Have You Reviewed Your Lease Maintenance Processes Lately?

Gray Reed on 12/28/2016

You might conclude that the but-for-the-grace-of-God-that-could-be-me nightmare presented in In re: RPH Capital Partners is instructive only for lawyers. If so, you would be mistaken. The lesson: If you want to win the...more

Les Miles is Like the Oil Business

Gray Reed on 12/2/2015

How is that, you say? More on the Les mess: And now, on to our case Co-author Brooke Sizer. NorAm Drilling Co. v. E & Pco Intern., LLC is important if you: The events E&P acquired two leases in Caldwell Parish, Louisiana,...more